As the crisp autumn air settles in and the leaves begin to turn golden, there's no better way to embrace the season than with some delightful homemade cookies.
This recipe for old-fashioned pumpkin cookies perfectly captures the essence of fall. These treats are a harmonious blend of warm spices and tender pumpkin, a flavor combination that always wins.
And as good as they are on their own, I couldn't resist adding some deliciously rich cream cheese frosting. It makes a comforting combination that will leave you craving more.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
These pumpkin cookies are incredibly soft, almost cake-like in texture. Each bite melts in your mouth, making them an absolute delight.
The cookies are flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg, to give them the comforting aroma and flavors of fall.
And for me, the crowning glory of these cookies is the luscious cream cheese frosting. It adds a creamy, tangy sweetness that perfectly complements the spiced pumpkin base. They're ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or as a sweet surprise for your loved ones during the fall and holiday season.
Ingredients Needed
**Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for detailed quantities and directions**
This recipe only uses one cup of pumpkin puree. Check out these ideas for canned pumpkin recipes to use up what's left in the can!
How to Make these Homemade Pumpkin Cookies
To prep, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the flour in a medium bowl and add the other dry ingredients: cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together and set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the sugar until well blended. I use a hand mixer for this.
Add the rest of the wet ingredients: pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla. Beat until the batter is smooth.
Add the flour mixture gradually, about a third at a time, beating well after each addition.
Use a cookie scoop or rounded tablespoon to drop the dough onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, until the edges are firm. Cool on the baking sheet 2 to 3 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
To Frost
You can go 2 directions to frost these cookies. Well, actually, you can have them without ANY frosting so that would be a third option. But that's not how I roll! LOL
A simple solution is to make an easy powdered sugar glaze to drizzle on the cookies. (1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 to 3 tablespoons milk)
But I love any excuse to add cream cheese frosting (like pumpkin bars or carrot cake!)and these cookies are an excellent place for it! Thick and creamy, the cream cheese frosting is a perfect complement to these old-fashioned pumpkin cookies. I strongly urge you to give it a try!
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are outstanding with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea. The recipe makes about 3 dozen, so you'll have plenty to share with friends.
Storage
Store these pumpkin cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to save them for longer, freeze them in an airtight container for up to three months.
Expert Tips
Ensure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
If you prefer thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar to achieve your desired consistency.
Recipe FAQs
Certainly! These cookies are delicious on their own without frosting.
Yes, you can refrigerate the cookie dough for up to 24 hours before baking. Just cover it tightly to prevent drying.
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Old Fashioned Pumpkin Cookies
Ingredients
- 2½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter softened (1 stick)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 egg large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cream Cheese or Powdered Sugar Frosting as desired
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F. Line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.2½ cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon salt
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until well blended.1½ cup sugar, ½ cup butter
- Add the egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth.1 cup pumpkin puree, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the flour mixture gradually, about a third at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Drop a rounded tablespoon (I use a small cookie scoop for this) of batter onto the baking sheet(s). Leave space between the cookies to allow them to spread slightly.
- Bake 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are firm. Cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then remove the cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- Frost with a simple powdered sugar glaze or cream cheese frosting, as desired.Cream Cheese or Powdered Sugar Frosting
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
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Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened (1 stick)
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-2 teaspoon milk
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.½ cup butter, 8 oz cream cheese
- Begin adding powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, and beat until fully incorporated. Add vanilla in between the sugar additions.4-5 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- As frosting begins to get very thick, add milk, one teaspoon at a time, to help loosen it up. Adjust amounts of sugar and milk if needed to achieve the perfect spreading consistency.1-2 teaspoon milk
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Carol
I remember my grandma making these! They were super moist and pumpkin-y with just the right spices
Sula
They really do have all the best fall flavors!
Lia
The best pumpkin cookie recipe I have ever tasted!
Sula
Awesome, I'm so happy I could help you find a new favorite!
Jenny
We have been loving everything pumpkin this year! I made these with my daughter and the frosting was amazing as well as the cookies! Will be making them again!
Sula
Wonderful! These really are delicious cookies and yes the frosting makes them even better!!
Connie
Cake cookies are a family favorite! Love pumpkin cookies like this with frosting. Thanks for the great recipe!
Sula
You're welcome, enjoy!
Kathy
Love these cookies. They are easy to make and so good. I made a double batch the second time I made it and I think I keep doing this going forward.
Sula
A double batch of cookies is always a good idea!
Jemma
My daughter wanted to make cookies yesterday and my 6 year old was so excited begging that she would make pumpkin cookies as they are his teachers favorite and she had been telling them all about how much she loves fall when they were doing autumn leave pictures at school.
So yesterday we made pumpkin cookies. I found your recipe on pinterest and it looked easy (very important when cooking with an 8 and 6 year old!!)
The cookies were delicious and the frosting!! I loved that so much I ate some with a spoon straight from the bowl and now my kids think that is normal...oops!
We'll be making these again for sure
Sula
LOL that frosting has the same effect for me!!!! I'm so glad you found me and made these cookies with your kids. It's a great way to make life long memories!
Jo
As soon as it started to feel like fall, I knew I needed to try these pumpkin cookies. Perfect for enjoying with a hot cup of tea. The recipe also doubled nicely for gifts - I may have to triple the batch next time!
Sula
yes this recipe is so easy to double or triple, to make it easier to share!
Sara
These yummy pumpkin cookies did not last long! The frosting really made them special - don't skip it!
Sula
I have to admit, the frosting is my favorite part!
Jennifer Osborn
Nothing screams fall like a pumpkin cookie with cream cheese frosting. These were really delicious.
Sula
Awesome, I'm so glad you had the chance to enjoy the taste of fall!